Agroecology

While it can be more broadly and more specifically defined, we're using agroecology here to refer to the ways in which nature, or more specifically native organisms, interact with agricultural production. Clearly, pest damage can be part of that and needs to be taken into account. Pests have generally been quite thoroughly researched. Less researched, but increasingly becoming a focus, are beneficial organisms: the pollinators, the pest parasites, and the pest predators. Our particular interest, reflecting our general focus landscape patterns, is on how semi-wild areas around farms (including orchards) interact with the production of those enterprises.

Here's a summary of the projects in which we've looked at aspects of that theme, together with links to more information:

In 2009, we looked at the ebb and flow of insects in and around Hawthorne Valley Farm's main gardens; our goal was to start getting a feel for distribution and seasonal dynamics. We prepareda web page illustrating those results.

In 2010, we worked on 19 different farms around the County, exploring the interaction of landscape, soils and agriculturally-relevant insects. Some of that work is summarized in this 2012 report.

In 2012 through 2014, we explored the insect communities of wild fields and planted native-species meadows. While not directly related to agroecology, this work did provide insight on the potential of some of these habitats to provide habitat for beneficial species. This report summarizes that work.

In 2014, we undertook a pilot project to look at how interchange with surrounding 'wilds' influenced orchard production at seven Hudson Valley apple orchards; those results are summarized here.

In 2016, we began work at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub, again looking at some of those 'edge effects', but this time in the context of farm fields, a draft report appears here.